Israeli Excavations Pose a Major Threat to Al-Aqsa Mosque

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Al-Aqsa Reconstruction Committee: Israeli Excavations Pose a Major Threat to the Mosque

[19/04/2009 - 04:23 PM ]

AMMAN, (PIC)--

The committee on the reconstruction of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, warned Sunday that excavations carried out by Israel in the eastern part of occupied Jerusalem constitute a major threat to the Islamic and Arab religious and historical landmarks especially Al-Aqsa Mosque which may collapse by any artificial or natural earthquake.

Ra'if Najm, the deputy head of the committee, noted in press statements that the aim of these excavations, as Israeli archeologists said, is to look for signs of the alleged temple of Solomon, adding that if this lie was not refuted, the world would believe it.

Najm underscored that the number of these excavations amounted to more than 60 tunnels, the most serious is the western tunnel near Al-Aqsa Mosque which consists of two floors and underground rooms.

He added that the Israeli settlers placed superstitious models and sculptures inside this tunnel to use them to explain to visiting tourists their fabricated history and how they would remove Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, and build their alleged temple in their place. The committee official pointed out that the Israelis use chemicals to break up the rocks that hinder excavation works which further weakens the foundations of the Jerusalemite buildings.

The official affirmed that several decisions were made by the Security Council, the UN and UNESCO asking Israel to stop its excavations in Jerusalem, but Israel did not respond to any of them and continued to demolish and target the Arab and Islamic heritage in the holy city in retaliation to the declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Arab culture in 2009.

Mayor of Jerusalem Adnan Al-Hussaini had stated that the Israeli excavations in the Old City of Jerusalem and the Silwan town only revealed a high percentage of Islamic antiquities and the rest was Byzantine and Roman, and added that many international archeologists including Israelis confirmed these discoveries.

Hussaini had also noted that Israel had embarked on damaging and manipulating these antiquities, and replacing them with other ones.

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